President Mahinda Rajapksa who was on an official visit to Rome met Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican. Here, the President and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa being accompanied to meet Pope Benedict XVI in keeping with traditions. Picture by Sudath Silva

Damaged N/E places of worship being rebuilt

The demolished Buddhist temples and places of religious worship in the North and East are now being repaired, reconstructed and renovated by the government for benefit of the public. Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said on Saturday that a large number of Buddhist temples in the North and East that were dilapidated are now being rebuilt by the government.

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Global warming threatens marine ecosystem: Yapa

Aquatic life and the marine ecosystem have been threatened due to global warming and coastal and marine environmental pollution, Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said. He said global warming has affected the supportive conditions for aquatic life. The minister said fish resources in certain oceanic zones in the world have declined gradually.

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Severe drought forecast in coming months

Low rainfall could lead to a severe drought in certain parts of the country in the coming months, Meteorology Department Director General S H Kariyawasam said yesterday. He said the onset of the South West monsoon did not bring much rain to the country.

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Talking Point

Recently, a person by the name of Aruwan who has a foreign surname and operates a mud slinging -website held talks with several persons who operate banned and mud slinging -websites which target the Government, at his home in a Colombo suburb. All persons who have links with defamatory websites attended this Katakatha” committee. Some politically bankrupt elements of the Opposition, including one who gets a salary from Sirikotha had taken part in the meeting.

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